A new drug and alcohol performance-focused prevention program for high school and middle school athletes is being reviewed in Siskiyou County. A pilot program in one to three schools could potentially be implemented this fall with the hope that more schools will follow.

Now, it is school officials, coaches, athletes, parents and the public's turn to hear about the proposal first-hand and let their opinions and feedback be heard.

An overview and discussion on the Athlete Committed Model will be presented free to the general public on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Weed High School at 6 p.m. by Dr. John Underwood, who helped develop this program. According to a press release on the event, "Dr. Underwood trains world and olympic champions, NCAA, NBA, NFL and the U.S. Navy Seals utilizing his internationally recognized drug and alcohol free sports "pure performance" strategies. The proposed program is adapted from the Life of an Athlete program developed by Underwood, which has been put in place in 39 states. Also, two states, New Mexico and New York, have adopted the program statewide.

The Athlete Committed Model is designed to help students achieve their maximum athletic potential and if there are issues with drugs or alcohol to help them.

get the help and counseling they need, Underwood said. He believes that once people hear "all the facts" about the program they will understand what a benefit it could be for Siskiyou County.

"This program is just common sense," Underwood said in a phone interview. "We need to tell the kids there is a right way."

The 6 p.m. session is open to the public. There will be two other sessions on the 17th for athletic directors, coaches and school officials and a session for student athletes.

While still in the early stages, school district officials in the county said they are intrigued by the program and are looking forward to seeing what the community thinks of it. The Siskiyou County Human Services Agency/ Alcohol and Other Drugs and the Siskiyou County Substance Abuse Coalition have been key players to get this program up and running in the county.

In a press release, the Athlete Committed Model is described as "a prevention/intervention program for student athletes, parents, and coaches that impacts social drug and alcohol use and addresses other athlete lifestyle issues. It includes the development of an Athletic Code that promotes a character based athletic program and has clear consequences for code infractions."

Arden Carr, a licensed clinical site supervisor for the county's behavioral health services, said that when he first heard about this program and Underwood's work throughout the country he knew that he wanted to see if this would be something viable to bring to Siskiyou County.

One thing that impressed Carr about this program is that the kids who need help receive counseling.While there still are consequences in this program for infractions, there is an intervention component in place that gives participants a chance to get a lot of support and help. Carr likes having parents and coaches involved and trained in making sure the goals of the program are met. Another key component is student leadership, where fellow athletes participate in training their peers and helping support their fellow athletes "both on and off the field."

Page 2 of 2 - Carr likes that education is an important component as the program teaches students the consequences if "they make self destructive decisions."

Underwood has given presentations to both pro and college athletes and said there is certainly a major issue with drugs and alcohol in college and pro athletics. He hopes having programs like the one proposed for Siskiyou County helps curb the problem before it starts or gets too out of hand and shows young athletes the consequences to themselves and their team if they consume drugs and alcohol.

"We need to reach the younger athletes," Underwood said. "Our goal is to give people information to make better choices."

Carr said that he and Underwood have had discussions with local superintendents and school officials about the program and said the feedback has been positive.

Kermith Walters, Siskiyou County Office of Education superintendent said that while it is in "the early stages" he said he has liked what has been presented so far and the way the program offers services like counseling to those who need it and the active involvement of student athletes in mentoring and working with fellow athletes.

Walters said that he is looking forward to seeing the reaction from the community.

Yreka Union High School District Superintendent /Principal Mark Greenfield said that he was also intrigued by the initial overview meetings he has had about the program. He liked that parts of the program are similar to some things already in place at the high school such as counseling for athletes. Greenfield added that the substance abuse issue is a concern across the country and here in the county and this program could be beneficial here. But, he added, he is taking "a wait and see" approach to the program and plans "to see how it goes on the 17th."

Besides working on the issues of drugs and alcohol, the program also addresses the importance of things like being healthy, proper nutrition and getting a good nights sleep to reach athletic potential, Underwood said.

The Athlete Committed Model has been initiated in Butte County for around three years, with Carr and Underwood saying it has gone quite well and has made a difference there. Carr said he has worked closely with officials in Butte County and said he has heard raves from them and believes the program can have the same impact here in Siskiyou County.

For more information or to ask questions on the proposed program, Carr can be reached at 841-4704. To take a look at the program initiated in Butte County which is the model being followed for the program proposed for Siskiyou County go to http://www.butteyouthnow.org/committed/athlete-committed.